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STUDENT'S E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Faculty of Social Science of Charles University
Smetanovo nabr. 6
110 01 Prague 1
Czech Republic
e-mail: CAROLINA@cuni.cz
tel: (+42 2) 24810804, ext. 252, fax: (+42 2) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 140, Friday, December 9, 1994.
EVENTS FROM THE PAST WEEK (November 30 - December 7)
Vaclav Havel Attends CSCE Summit in Budapest
"It should't happen anymore, that those who are more powerful
control those who are less," said Czech President Vaclav Havel in
response to the dispute between NATO and Russia on the western
alliance's growth.
At a meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in
Budapest, leaders clashed on the alliance's growth. U.S. President Bill
Clinton said non-members of the alliance have no right to prevent
countries from entering it, but Russian President Boris Yeltsin said
that when the alliance approaches its border, his country will react.
NATO's growth and the security situation in Europe dominated the
December 5 and 6 meeting. Havel said he was disappointed the meeting did
not address the situation in the former Yugoslavia, but was pleased in
general.
Havel met with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and British Prime
Minister John Major about the European Union NATO. He spoke with Slovak
President Michal Kovac, on the political situation in his country.
Vera Vitkova\Mojzis Stupka
Czechs in Canada Complain About Restitution
A Czech parliamentary delegation to Canada last week heard the
complaints of native Czechs upset about restrictions on restitution.
The strongest complaints came from those whose property was
confiscated in 1945, before the 1948 limit on restitution claims under
Czech law.
Parliamentary Chairman Milan Uhde, who headed the delegation,
rejected claims that the laws were directed against emigrants. "Laws
can't be and aren't outlined in way to rectify all injustices," he said.
"In that sense they can be aimed against some people living in Czech
Republic."
The Czech-Canadians also also critized law about Czech citizenship,
which bans dual citizenship. Martina Vojtechovska/Martina Vojtechovska
Finnish Prime Ministr Visits
During a state visit to the Czech Republic, Finnish Prime Minister
Esco Aho promised to help Central European countries integrate into the
European Union, and signed agreements to reduce double-taxation.
Michal Vynohradnyk
Citizens Not Very Interested In EU
Only 39 percent of Czechs are interested in Czech membership in the
European Union. Of those who are interested, 83 percent agree with
membership, 8 percent oppose it, and 9 percent are undecided.
In a survey conducted by the Institute for Public Opinion Research,
which was published in Mlada Fronta Dnes, respondents said the main
reason for membership is the economic gains for the country.
Among the disadvantages of membership, they mentioned the necessity
to follow Union guidelines, and partial loss of the country's
sovereignty.
Fifty-two percent of those interested in membership said the Union
is interested in them.
Last year, surveys showed that at least two-thirds of people
supported entering the Union. Jana Maruskova
Klaus, In Address to Parliament, Expresses Satisfaction With Trends
Current development in the Czech Republic is "unmeasurably positive"
and the results of government action satisfactory, said Prime Minister
Vaclav Klaus in a speech to Parliament December 7.
In a two-hour address, Klaus admitted that tasks remain unfinished
and that there are still difficulties, which he did not specify.
Generally however, the report was filled with glowing praise of the
social transformation after 1989.
The speech was predictably embraced by members of Klaus's coalition,
but criticized as too optimistic by the opposition.
In reviewing political developments, Klaus said a democratic,
pluralistic political system has been created which ensures basic civic
liberties and the working principles of a market economy.
Klaus also lauded economic developments. Last year's inflation rate
of 20 percent should be cut in half this year, he said. Eighty percent
of state-owned enterprises, with a value of 900 billion crowns, have
been privatized, and 6 million citizens have become shareholders, the
highest rate in the world.
In strategic matters, Klaus reinterated Czech aims to gain full
membership in the European Union and to participate in the Partnership
for Peace as a first step to full membership in NATO.
Germany will play a great role in negotiations toward Czech
membership in the EU, Klaus said, therefore it is important to maintain
good relations with Germany.
"In as-yet unsolved Czech-German questions, we advocate Czech
national interests sensitively but firmly," Klaus said.
Klaus said that relations with Slovakia are gradually being adjusted
to the usual interstate level. Also looking east, Klaus said the Czech
Republic is interested in cooperation with the Visegrad countries of the
former Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland, but that this group could not
become an alternative to the EU or NATO.
Social Democrats leader Milos Zeman criticized the speech for
overlooking dark spots in the development. "We regret that no attention
was paid to such relevant things as money laundering, corruption or the
lack of a fight against economic mafias," Zeman said. He added that the
congratulations reminded him of a performance by Lubomir Strougal, the
last hard-line Communist prime minister.
Free Democrat Chairman Jiri Dienstbier dismissed Klaus's speech as
"official propaganda", while Jaroslav Ortman of the Left Block declared
the speech no more than Klaus's personal thoughts.
Opposition parliamentarians bitterly criticized the lack of
opportunity to reply to the speech. A proposal by the Social Democrats
to debate the report was narrowly defeated. Stepanka Kucerova/Jirka Sch.
Jan Koukal Re-elected Prague Mayor
Jan Koukal was re-elected Lord Mayor of Prague at a December 1 city
council meeting.
Koukal, a member of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), was the only
candidate for the post. He received 33 votes out of 55 possible. His
party holds 23 seats.
Other well-known members of the council include Jiri Dienstbier,
former foreign minister and head of the Free Democrats, Vaclav Benda,
vice-chairman of the Christian-Democratic Party, Daniela Kolarova,
former deputy of the Czech National Council and an actress at Vinohrady
Theater, and director Vera Chytilova. Tomas Kopecny
Parliament Orders Inquiry into Political Donations by State Firms
Following a fund-raising dinner for Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus's
Civic Democratic Party which the heads of some state-owned firms
attended, Parliament has ordered an inquiry.
The proposal to discuss state firm funding of political interests
was accepted Tuesday by 90 of 179 parliamentarians present, the bare
minimum. The proposal was put forth by Ludvik Motycka, parliament leader
of the Christian and Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party.
Motycka wants to stop contributions to politicians by joint-stock
companies in which the state is majority owner.
This issue arose after a recent "Dinner With The Prime Minister"
arranged by the Civic Democratic Party. Participants paid 100,000 or
250,000 crowns to dine with Klaus. Some of the sponsors were managers of
large state companies.
The weekly Respekt reported that at least eight directors of
companies used money from company funds, in other words, from state
resources.
Motycka's party also wants Parliament to decree that the cabinet
should not allow state enterprises to finance political parties or
candidates. Martina Krizkova
NOVA-TV Reporter Targeted in Shooting
NOVA-TV reporter Mikolas Cerny narrowly escaped injury when someone
apparently shot at him as he was driving his car back from reporting on
a story.
According to Cerny, he was followed by a car which pulled next to
his car. Both side windows of his car were shot out, but Cerny was
uninjured.
Investigators were unable to find a bullet or cartridge despite
intensive searching with police dogs.
Cerny was reporting in Northern Bohemia, where the incident
occurred, for the news-magazine show "With One's Own Eyes." He was
reporting on the arrest of former Civic Democratic Party official Jan
Parizek, who is under arrest on allegations of car theft and tax evasion
on cigarette sales. Parizek's supporters say he has been arrested in
retaliation for political activities.
Jana Maruskova/Martina Vojtechovska
Sleeping Guard at Defense Ministry Loses Automatic Weapons
Where would a soldier go for weapons? To the Defense Ministry, of
course, which is exactly what two soldier-theives allegedly did the
night of December 2.
Six Scorpion 61 automatic weapons and 240 bullets were taken from
the Defense Ministry building.
Guards in charge of the guns were reportedly asleep at the time of
the theft. Two soldiers from the same company as the guards were
arrested in the theft. The culprits were arrested 10 hours after the 3
a.m. break-in.
Minister of Defence Vilem Holan called the event shocking and said
such incidents could jeopardize Czech moves to join NATO.
Lukas Zentel/Martina Vojtechovska
Cardinal Vlk Celebrates First Mass in New Function
Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, Prague archbishop and head of the Catholic
Church in the Czech Republic, celebrated his first Mass December 3 in
St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague after being made a cardinal.
Among those attending the Mass were President Vaclav Havel, Prime
Minister Vaclav Klaus, members of parliament, diplomats and Catholic
dignitaries. Ludek S. Stanek
New Institution to Examine Crimes of the Past
Vaclav Benda, vice-chairman of the Christian-Democratic Party, will
become the director of a new government agency charged with examining
crimes from the Communist Era.
The Office For Examination and Documentation of the Crimes of
Communism will merge the functions of two organizations, one which was
under the Interior Ministry examining secret police actions, and the
other which looked at the broader question of the legality of the
Communist regime and was independent.
The new organization begins its functions in January.
The Director of the Center for Documentation of the Illegality of
the Communist Regime, Bohuslav Hubalek, told Carolina he learned of the
change from journalists.
He said he would not be "willing to work with Vaclav Benda in any
possible way." Benda does not know the problems in this area and will
not be able to take important steps in time to meet statutes of
limitation on the majority of Communist chiefs' crimes, Hubalek said.
"The fusion came too late," he said. "The most visible cases must be
put for trial by December 29, 1994," said Hubalek.
Benda said he is satisfied with his nomination, but called attention
to the fact that new institution will not have enough time to present
cases. He called the new post "a little suicide".
Benda was a leading dissident, a signer of Charter 77 who is still
active in the Committee to Defend the Unjustly Accused, both
organizations that worked against Communist violations of law and human
rights abuses.
Benda was elected in last month's elections to the Prague City
Council, a position he wants to keep. "I think I'll pass both functions
succesfully," Benda said. Jiri Chvojka
Charles University Confers Honorary Degrees
Charles University awarded honorary degrees November 30 to Dr. Arpad
Bogsch, general director of the World Organization of Intellectual
Property, for developing world standards, and to Dr. Harald Hansen,
director of the German Institute for Cancer Research in Heidelberg, for
contributing to Czech-German cooperation in oncology. Ludek S. Stanek
FROM SLOVAKIA
New Government Expected To Form
A new Slovak government will form between December 10 and 15,
predicted Sergej Kozlik, vice-chairman of the Movement for
a Democratic Slovakia.
CULTURE
Karel Gott Records New Album
Czech pop singer Karel Gott has recorded a new album -- Karel Gott
'95. The album is recorded on the Polygram label, with which the singer
signed a contract in May, after 30 years with Supraphon,
The record's first single is a pseudo-reggae number, "Kakaova," one
of a broad range of styles shown on the album.
Karel Gott gave a traditional Christmas concert December 3 at the
Lucerna Palac. The concert sold out within 48 hours. Jindrich Jirasek
Olympic Is Returning
The legendary czech group Olympic is returning to the stage after
a two-year break from its 30-year career.
The agency BEST I.A. is compiling an album named "Long Ago," and
publishing a book of 99 Olympic songs and another on the band's career.
According to band leader Petr Janda, Olympic is not returning to the
stage for financial reasons. Tomas Kopecny
VaCLAV HAVEL AGAINST FOUR SEASONS
In his letter to the Prague city board of representatives
president Vaclav Havel expressed his disquiet by planned building of
a hotel by Canadian company Four Seasons on Als embankment in Prague.
The same view is also held by member of the board Jiri Dienstbier,
chairman of the Free Democrats (OH).
According to experts, on whose views Havel's opinion is based, the
planned construction with planned capacity of 180 beds would affect
the specific nature of Als embankment (it is an area in the historical
centre of the city near Charles Bridge). As a similar example of
insensitive intervention he signed already begun building in vacant
site Myslbek in street Na Prikope, business center on the Petrske
Square, planned construction of Hypobank object on Square of the
Republic or prepared turning of Slavonic House into a hotel of company
Ritz-Carlton.
Councillor Michal Hvizdala (ODS) dealt with all these projects. He
was elected for this term again and the Four Seasons issue is alo in
his power.
The contract on plot-lease among the city of Prague and Four
Seasons was signed this February and includes a condition that the
investor has to open a public contest on the architectural solution.
This contest was concluded in November and it will be evaluated by
a jury formed mostly of Architects' Body representatives. 38 competing
designs will be submitted to the public discussion in January.
ECONOMICS
Exchange Rates of the Czech National Bank (valid from December 7)
Checks Cash
Country Buy Sell Middle Buy Sell
Great Britain 1 GPB 43,030 44,162 43,942 42,52 45,36
France 1 FRF 5,199 5,251 5,225 5,0 5,23
Japan 100 JPY 27,940 28,220 28,080 26,78 29,38
Canada 1 CAD 20,429 20,635 20,532 19,64 21,42
Austria 1 ATS 2,536 2,562 2,549 2,49 2,61
Germany 1 DEM 17,851 18,031 17,941 17,48 18,40
Switzerland 1 CHF 21,170 21,382 21,276 20,78 21,78
USA 1 USD 28,054 28,336 28,195 27,50 28,90
Slovakia 1 XCU -- -- 34,220 -- --
SPORT
A Look Back at Half-Season of Football
The Czech football league has finished one and a half years of
independence following the breakup of Czechoslovakia, and while last
year's matches drew superlatives, this year's events have been even
better.
Unlike last season, no one is dominating the league like Sparta
Prague, and no one is having such a miserable season as did Dukla Prague
or Vitkovice, so the league has been became more dramatic.
The new system of three points for a win brings a more offensive
game. Fan interest has increased, with an average attendance of 5,500,
experienced players have returned from the abroad (goalkeeper Stejskal
to Slavia Prague, Vrabec to Viktoria Zizkov), and new personalities have
popped up (Poborsky and Gabriel in Viktoria Zizkov, Kozel in Slavia).
Slavia Prague became the autumn champion. The team began well, but
after falling from the UEFA Cup went through a crisis. The match with
Viktoria Zizkov turned it around, when Slavia managed to win 3:2 thanks
two goals in last minutes. Since the 13th round Slavia has held onto
first place.
But Viktoria Zizkov had the best-balanced autumn. The team of
millionaire Vratislav Cekan led for a long time and it will attack
Slavia for the title in the summer. Coach Jiri Kotrba developed
a compact team without significant weak points and with very strong
midfield with representatives Bilek and Poborsky.
The young Boby Brno team has the third place. New coach Petr Ulicny
made players and all the city crazy about football and the Moravian
capital is remembering the atmosphere 15 years ago, when Zbrojovka Brno
was at its peak and won the champions title.
Fourth place Slovan Liberec is doing better than expected, managing
to keep key players (Hasek, Maier and shooter Obajdin) and coach
Vlastimil Petrzela.
Sparta Prague is disappointed with its fifth place, but after
internal problems -- coach Karol Dobias fired after two wins and
replaced by assistent Vladimir Borovicka, German coach Jurgen Sundermann
hired, manager Zdenek Nehoda fired -- nobody could have expected
anything else. The last two rounds suggested the stabilization of
relations in the team and better play.
Sixth place means satisfaction for Jablonec. This league novice got
points mainly at home, enough to secure them in the first league.
The teams of Union Cheb, Sigma Olomouc and Banik Ostrava are in the
middle of the table. Cheb looked after a better place (the future of
team is uncertain after problems between representatives of the team and
sponsor Alexandr Komanicky), Olomouc is slowly forgetting its
Europe-cup successes and beginning to build a young team.
They could have problems with descent to lower leagues in Ceske
Budejovice, Zlin and in Plzen. Rudolf Cernik/Mirek Langer
Last Four Rounds of Hockey Extraleague
23rd round: Jihlava - Kladno 1:6, Pardubice - Slavia Prague 3:4,
Sparta Prague - Ceske Budejovice 1:1, Litvinov - Vitkovice 4:2, Zlin
- Plzen 4:4, Olomouc - Vsetin 4:3.
24th round: Vsetin - Pardubice 5:2, Vitkovice - Olomouc 7:5, Sparta
Prague - Zlin 3:2, Kladno - Litvinov 3:2, Plzen - Jihlava 4:1, Ceske
Budejovice - Slavia Prague 2:1.
25th round: Slavia Prague - Vsetin 3:1, Zlin - Ceske Budejovice
6:4, Jihlava - Sparta Prague 4:3, Olomouc - Kladno 1:4, Litvinov - Plzen
1:5, Pardubice - Vitkovice 4:4.
26th round: Kladno - Pardubice 7:1, Zlin - Jihlava 3:2, Vitkovice
- Slavia Prague 9:2, Ceske Budejovice - Vsetin 7:2, Plzen - Olomouc
3:1, Sparta Prague - Litvinov 3:1. Mirek Langer
HOLIDAY NOTES
Troupe of Saint Nicholases Makes Annual Appearance in Old Town Square
Legions of St. Nicholas, angels and devils appeared on Prague
streets and in the Old Town Square December 5, the eve of St. Nicholas
Day, to give candy and fruit to good children and coal and potatoes to
the bad ones.
Cert, the devil, sticks out his tongue and scampers about little
children, who are typically obliged to recite a poem or sing a song for
Nicholas. After Nicholas questions their behavior, (often at parents'
prompting), an angel dispenses the annual treats.
Jakub Knezu/Martina Vojtechovska
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